Macrooy's music can best be described as modern soul. His audience is in the Netherlands, Suriname, and increasingly in Belgium, France and Germany. He was due to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 held in Rotterdam with the song "Grow", but the contest was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Birth of a New Age"
In April 2016 Jeangu’s debut EP ‘Brave Enough’ was released. The day of the release Jeangu was named ‘Serious Talent’ by 3FM radio, and the week after he played his first single ‘Gold’ at Dutch national TV talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, where he has become a frequent guest ever since. ‘Gold’ was later used in a commercial for television network HBO. During the summer of 2016 Jeangu and his band played a multitude of festivals, after which he toured the Netherlands with Popronde in autumn. He also provided the support for Blaudzun, Remy van Kesteren, Bernhoft and Selah Sue, resulting in a total of 120 shows in just 12 months. The year 2016 was concluded with a performance at Noorderslag and a nomination for an Edison Award in the category ‘Best New Artist.’
Jeangu’s Perquisite produced debut album ‘High On You’ is more energetic and danceable than its predecessor. Melancholy still prevails in songs like ‘Circles’, but generally the focus has shifted to a more raw sound that drives songs like ‘Crazy Kids’ – a duet with twin brother Xillan – and ‘Head Over Heels’. ‘Antidote’ and ‘High On You’ show Jeangu’s affinity with soul music. It is on tracks like these that his powerful voice is intensified by the addition of brass arrangements that can be heard on the majority of the album. The common thread throughout the record, however, is still Jeangu’s unique vocal capacity, that hypnotises in the low range and moves the listener in the high range.
‘High On You’ was released on Unexpected Records on April 14th, 2017. The record entered the Dutch album charts, was nominated for the Edison Pop ‘Best Album’, and received critical acclaim from the press. Algemeen Dagblad gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote: ‘He’s only 23, but has a soul veteran-like depth in his voice. ‘High On You’ might be the best Dutch debut album of 2017.’ De Telegraaf added: ‘Your mouth will drop with surprise and admiration. What a way to start your career!’. Oor Magazine called Jeangu ‘a newcomer that will really excite you’.
The release of the album was celebrated with two club tours throughout the Netherlands of fifteen shows in total of which thirteen were sold out. In the summer of 2017, Jeangu played an abundance of festivals with his band, including North Sea Jazz and Lowlands. In December Jeangu flew back to Suriname, where title song ‘High On You’ had been at the number one chart position for seven weeks straight, for the first time since he moved to The Netherlands. He played there with his full live band for a thrilled 1500-piece audience. Back in The Netherlands, the year 2018 kicked off with a show at the Eurosonic showcase festival.
Birth of a New Age
Jeangu Macrooy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your rhythm is rebellion, your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
Deep currents running in the rivers of your eyes
Your rhythm is rebellion, your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
They spat on your crown and they poisoned your ground
Your rhythm is rebellion, your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
They burned your heroes at the stake
But your voice will echo all their names
It's the birth of a new age
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko, broko mi
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko, broko mi (oh-oh)
Soul blazin' like a hurricane
Your rhythm is rebellion (mmm-mhm), your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
Spirit roaring wild like untamed flames
Your rhythm is rebellion (oh yeah), your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
They buried your gods, they imprisoned your thoughts
Your rhythm is rebellion, your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
They tried to drain you of your faith
But you are the rage that melts the chains
This ain't the end, no
It's the birth of a new age
We are the fruit, adorning the legacy
Of every forgotten revolutionary
Born in resilience, proud like a lion
We are the birth of a new age
Yu no man broko mi (yeah)
Yu no man broko mi (mm-hmm)
Yu no man broko, broko mi (mi na afu sensi)
Yu no man broko mi (yu no man)
Yu no man broko mi (yu no man)
Yu no man broko, broko mi (mi na afu sensi)
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko, broko mi (mi na afu sensi)
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko mi
Yu no man broko, broko mi (mi na afu sensi)
Jeangu Macrooy's song "Birth of a New Age" is a powerful anthem that celebrates resistance and resilience in the face of colonial oppression. The lyrics are a testament to the strength of spirit that allows individuals and communities to withstand centuries of abuse, exploitation, and marginalization.
The opening lines, "Skin as rich as the starlit night / Your rhythm is rebellion," establish a connection between the beauty of Blackness and the power of resistance. The image of the night sky is a metaphor for the vastness and complexity of African culture, which has been systematically eroded and suppressed by colonial powers. Yet, the "rhythm" of this culture, its music, dance, and oral traditions, continues to inspire and motivate resistance movements across the continent and the diaspora.
The second verse, "Soul blazin' like a hurricane / Your rhythm is rebellion," draws a parallel between the power of nature and the power of resistance. The hurricane is an emblem of destruction and chaos, but also of renewal and regeneration. In the same way, the spirit of resistance can be a disruptive force, challenging the status quo and dismantling structures of oppression, but it can also be a catalyst for change and progress.
In the chorus, "Yu no man broko mi" ("You can't break me"), Jeangu Macrooy asserts his own resilience and that of his people. He refers to "every forgotten revolutionary," those who have fought and died for a better future, and reminds us that their legacy lives on in the continued struggle for justice and liberation.
Overall, "Birth of a New Age" is a celebration of cultural heritage, political resistance, and human dignity. It is a call to action, an anthem for those who refuse to be broken by colonial violence and who continue to fight for a brighter tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
(Oh-oh) Skin as rich as the starlit night
Your skin, like the night sky, shines with diversity and beauty.
Your rhythm is rebellion, your rhythm is rebellion (oh-oh)
Your unique style and attitude defy societal norms and expectations.
Deep currents running in the rivers of your eyes
Your eyes hold a depth of emotion and experience that is evident to all who look.
They spat on your crown and they poisoned your ground
Those in power have oppressed and harmed you and your community.
They burned your heroes at the stake
The advocates and leaders that came before you have been unjustly punished for their activism.
But your voice will echo all their names
You will continue to honor and remember those who fought for change before you.
This ain't the end, no
Despite the challenges faced, your spirit and cause will persist.
It's the birth of a new age
A new era is upon us, where diverse voices and experiences are celebrated and change is possible.
Yu no man broko mi
You cannot break me down or defeat me.
Soul blazin' like a hurricane
Your passion is bold and unstoppable, like the force of a powerful storm.
Spirit roaring wild like untamed flames
Your determination and drive cannot be contained or controlled, like the intensity of flames without a source.
They buried your gods, they imprisoned your thoughts
Those in power have attempted to control your beliefs and restrict your freedom of expression.
They tried to drain you of your faith
Those in power have attempted to undermine your confidence and hope in the face of adversity.
But you are the rage that melts the chains
Your powerful spirit will overcome any obstacles or oppression and break free from the constraints that hold you back.
We are the fruit, adorning the legacy
Your generation is a continuation of the work and activism of those who came before you.
Of every forgotten revolutionary
Honoring those who fought for change and justice but have been neglected or overlooked in history.
Born in resilience, proud like a lion
Your resilience and strength are inherent qualities, and you are unashamed and confident in who you are and what you stand for.
mi na afu sensi
This phrase is in Surinamese and translates to 'I am of the opinion that'. It is a declaration of personal belief or perspective.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jeangu Macrooy, Pieter Perquin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EurovisionSongContest
Add or download the song to your playlist: https://Eurovision.lnk.to/ESC2021ID
Read more about Jeangu Macrooy: https://eurovision.tv/participant/jeangu-macrooy-2021
You can also find the lyrics in the YouTube description.
@lukefernandez1999
12 points from a broccoli lover because this host entry is an ode to Lion King.
@meowpoosaymeow
Nah I am bored but good luck 🥰💫
@henkmaat8410
@@meowpoosaymeow @nerd01!,same here awful Bad Song i’m Dutch but i don’t like this Song at al!!
@lukefernandez1999
🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦🥦
@allstars4712
Truly awesome & brilliantly stunning...!!! The Netherlands did it again...!!!
@lenoxify
Unpopular opinion: Europe wasn’t ready to be confronted with the truth of this masterpiece.
@sharkofjoy
This is the Eurovision song I can't get out of my head. If you'd asked me to make a list of top 3, I wouldn't have picked this one as the ear-worm, but the "they poisoned your ground" and "your rhythm is rebellion" will NOT leave my brain. It probably helps that the lyrics on this one are quality. Song on repeat!
@dutchskyrimgamer.youtube2748
He sings in Sranantongo. One of the many languages in Suriname (and the Netherlands). Wether this is the reason why Macrooy had such a low score, I don't know. Personally I like the song and it shows that Suriname and the Netherlands are actually pretty close countries. (About ⅔ of all Surinamers live in the Netherlands because back in the day, most Surinamers didn't want independence.)
@trout7738
I cannot believe this got 0 points in the finale, this song is incredible art.